Sir Alex Ferguson described Irish football legend Roy Keane as a man who "didn't like people that much".

This is according to Tony Blair's former communications chief, Alastair Campbell, in his latest batch of diaries.

Alastair Campbell

Former Manchester United captain Keane famously fell out with manager Ferguson, leading to the Cork man's departure from the club in November 2005.

The pair had enjoyed a very successful relationship, winning together seven Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League in 1999.

However, their relationship became strained and Campbell, who knew Ferguson well, as the Scottish manager was a strong supporter of the Blair administration, has revealed details of Ferguson's view of the midfielder.

Roy Keane and Sir Alex Ferguson lift up the Premiership Trophy together in 2001

"He [Ferguson] felt Keane had what it took in so many ways but he had demons and they would come out," wrote Campbell.

"He was actually someone who didn’t like people that much unless they met his own standards."

The spin doctor, like many football fans at the time, was surprised Ferguson let Keane leave the club and told him so.

“I said you used to say he was the most intelligent player you’d had, and the one likeliest to be a top manager. He went ‘Wrong. There is something not right there’.”

The diaries also shed light on the team talk Campbell delivered to the British and Irish Lions rugby team before their match against New Zealand in 2005 - a speech that angered many players, including Paul O'Connell.

Former Lions player Paul O'Connell was not a fan of Campbell's speech for the side in 2005 (Image: INPHO/Billy Stickland)

"I had written something on the bus and [Clive Woodward] read it and said it was brilliant, and what he needed," Campbell writes.

"Clive introduced me by saying I was a better speaker than him and he was interested in the take I had. I think I delivered it OK but I could sense a lot of resistance."

Ireland and Munster legend O'Connell revealed his unease about Campbell's talk in an autobiography last year.

"He [Campbell] told us that in every campaign and every crisis, there comes a moment when the people in the thick of it realise they need to dig deep - or they're in serious trouble. He talked about Northern Ireland, then Kosovo.

"He said he didn't get the feeling when he looked at us. He didn't have the sense that we were fighting back.

"I was really insulted. It annoyed me that anyone would question how much I wanted to win for the Lions when I was going to the depths of what I had in me.

"On the training pitch the following morning, I was getting more and more pissed off. I decided what I was going to do when the session was over: find Alastair and knock him out."

Although, the Irish second-row did not act on those plans and Campbell has actually said that the Irish players on the tour were "definitely the most relaxed and welcoming."